The technology of using metal workpiece as anode and electrolyzing it in a suitable electrolyte to selectively remove its rough surface and improve the surface finish is also called electrolytic polishing. Electropolishing can increase the corrosion resistance of stainless steel, reduce the resistance of electrical contact points, prepare metallographic grinding sheets, improve the reflective performance of lighting fixtures, improve the accuracy of various measuring tools, beautify metal daily necessities and handicrafts, etc., suitable for steel, aluminum, Polishing of copper, nickel and various alloys.

In the industrial production of stainless steel, aluminum and its alloys, non-ferrous metals and ferrous metals, electropolishing has become one of the indispensable surface processing methods. For example, the finishing and decoration processing of metal products and the surface of the coating can make the surface of the product reach a high level of finish, especially for parts that have been mechanically polished in advance to achieve a mirror-like luster, which is essential for the production of reflective equipment such as lighting appliances. Less. The use of electropolishing for cutting tools can eliminate the deformation layer on the surface, increase the smoothness of the working surface of the tool, improve the working conditions of the cutting tool, prolong the service life, and avoid the deformation of the metallographic structure of the tool surface and the reduction of hardness after mechanical grinding and polishing. There are even disadvantages of cracks. Measuring tools such as micrometers, verniers, and cylindrical gauges are electropolished to meet the extremely high finish and accuracy requirements of measuring tools. In the medical device industry, electropolishing is an ideal processing method for sharpening stainless steel suture needles and surgical instruments. For some special equipment, thorium, niobium, and uranium wires with diameters of a few microns and high surface finish, which are difficult to obtain by drawing methods, can be produced by electropolishing, and their metallic luster will not become dark after a long period of storage. Electropolishing is also widely used in the preparation of metallographic grinding discs. Production practice has proved that when the original smoothness of the parts is low, the smoothness can generally be improved by 1 to 2 grades after electropolishing; when the original smoothness is high, the smoothness can be improved by 2 to 3 grades. However, there are still some deficiencies in electropolishing technology. For example, there is no common electrolyte that can be used for a long time, is cheap, and can polish a variety of metals. Some existing electrolytes are high in cost, short in service life, and difficult to regenerate. Therefore, its application range is limited.